Improvement in upright-piano actions



F. Komt.v

UPRIGHT PIANO-ACTIONS.

No.179,029. Patented June 20,1876.

Wtmsss.

JNrTED STATES PATENT Graueno FREDERICK KOTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN UPRIGHT-PIANO ACTIONS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,029, dated June 20, 1576; application tiled V November 22, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK KOTH, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Piano-Forte Actions, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to produce an action for upright pianos, whereby the power of the hammers can be adjusted correctl y; the distance Ao'fthe hammers from the strings regulated 5 to produce quickness or repeating ot' the stroke; and, also, in combining with the hammer-butts a weighted lever to assist the falling backvof the hammer, after having operated the string, without the use of strings or sprlngs.

The accompanying drawing represents a side elevation ot' a piano-forte action embodying my improvement.

A is the keylever, B the fly, with its foot G fastened to the key A. D is the regulating'- screw for the'tly, preventing too far upward motion. E is the dange, to which the hammer is hinged. H is the hammer-butt, G the hammer-rod, and F the hammer. All these parts are old, and constructed in about the usual form. The hammer-butt H is provided with cushion P, curved around projection I,

` and cushioned also at S. J is an arm, attached to the hammer-butt Hand Weighted at its outer end at a a. On the end of this lever J an arm, L, is fastened, bearing against the cushion N, fast to the screw-rod M, attached to the fly B. K is a bar, cushioned at O for the hammer-rod Gr to rest against.

By screwing the rod M inward or outward in the fly B, the position of the cushion N can be changed, and the distance between the end of the hammer F and the string increased or diminished, as may be desired, the weighted lever J insuring always the position ot' the arm L against said cushion N, and holding the hammer away from the string when not acted upon by the Hy B, and dispensing thereby with elastic bands or springs, at present used for that purpose. The tly B, when operating the hammer, strikes first against the cushion P of the hammer-butt H, and, after completing the stroke, glances oft, allowing the hammer to fall back away from the string about one-fourth ot' an inch, although the key A may remain down at its outer end, the hammer' being supported in `that position by the end of the arm L being in contact with the cushion N, and enabling the performer to strike again, repeating as many times as he may choose without even allowing the key to return.

Whatl claim as my invention, and desire to secure 'by Letters Patent, is-

In an action for upright pianos, the Weighted lever J, with arm or projection L, attached to the hammer-butt H, and the cushion N, with screw-rod M, attached to the fly B, when construct-ed, combined, and arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose set forth. FREDERICK KOTH. Witnesses:

HENRY E. ROEDER, EARLE H. SMITH. 

